2010 BMW 123d Reviews

BMW's 1-Series Coupe is a sporty little thing, compact, with good handling and (especially with the three-litre turbocharged petrol six-cylinder engine) is very quick. And all in a luxury package befitting the German marque. But what's the result when a four-cylinder diesel engine is put in?Some f-words emerge, but good ones: It's fun, certainly frugal, funky and fast enough for most.Diesel engines in sporty cars, including convertibles, have been embraced in Europe for several years now. From here on, it's Australia's turn to show enough maturity to accept them as a way of having motoring driving pleasure with low fuel use and therefore low exhaust emissions.Engine and gearboxWe tested the BMW 123d Coupe with a two-litre, twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder diesel engine. BMW's engineers have wrung enough out of the turbos and injection/breathing systems to provide an impressive 150kW power, a figure that can stand proud against similar-sized, turbocharged petrol engines. The winner is the diesel's torque, a strong 400Nm of it and from just 2000rpm.Put this with a six-speed, sporty shifting manual gearbox and BMW claims a 0- 100km/h sprint in 7 seconds. Out on the highway, the overtaking performance is strong 80-120km/h taking just 5.5 seconds using fourth and fifth gear. The maker also says this little diesel coupe will run out to 238km/h. At 110km/h in sixth gear, the manual gearbox car is ticking over at 2100rpm.A six-speed automatic is a $2280 option, being a sequential with paddleshift changes.Economy and stop-start systemThere's no doubting then the diesel engine's performance, yet fuel economy is right on the money, too. Officially it's rated at 5.2 litres/100km. On our driving, admittedly mostly gently on the throttle, we returned an average of 5.4 litres/100km, including city driving.BMW fits its ‘stop-start’ system to this car: When the car is stopped and in neutral, the engine automatically switches off. When the driver wants to proceed, just pressing the clutch pedal automatically re-starts the engine, and you're away. It's a fuel saver and helps the planet (ever noticed all the fumes from exhausts on cars stopped long at traffic lights?).Fit-out and equipmentThe 1 Series Coupe comes with sport bucket leather seats, all manual adjustment except for a push-button adjustment of the wings to tighten around the drive's body to help hold him/her in place during cornering. Steering is tilt and reach adjustable. Rear view is not great for a small car but parking sensors, with a graphic display, help.The steering wheel has as thick rim and feels meaty with power steering not over-assisted, yet there's little feel of the road surface coming to the driver's hands. The rear seat takes only two passengers and, as expected in a small coupe, headroom there is limited for taller people. Boot size is modest but the rear seat back folds forward, 60/40. There's no spare wheel, the battery being under the boot floor.It has cruise control, rain and light sensors, climate control, stability control, cornering brake control, fog lamps and leather trim. Price of the 123d Coupe is from $57,900.As usual, BMW knows how to charge for options: the test car's fabulous sedona red metallic paint is $1700, the power sunroof $2920, sat-nav $2860 (but with as modest screen), and the 17in wheels replaced by 18in at $1326. It also had the $2300 M Sport Pack of aerodynamic body kit, sports suspension, M steering wheel and anthracite roof lining.DrivingThe stop-start is disconcerting until you get used to it, some passengers wondering if we'd stalled. Lights and all other gear remain working.  Like any car with an instant fuel-use readout, it encourages economic driving and there's a little set of arrows to suggest going up or down a gear for best efficiency.The only disappointing aspect of this engine is that I'd expected more refinement from BMW. At idle, it is not as quiet inside as, say, a Mazda3 diesel. Even on the 18in low-profile tyres, road noise is commendably contained.Most 1-Series buyers will prefer petrol engines. But get used to this idea of a diesel in a sports coupe it's the way of the future.BMW 123d CoupePrice: from $57,900 (as tested: $69,006)Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder dieselPower: 150kW @ 4400rpmTorque: 400Nm @ 2000-2500rpmTransmission: Six-speed manual; optional six-speed automatic with paddleshift, rear-wheel-driveBrakes: All disc, ABS, cornering brake controlFuel use: official, 5.2 litres/100km; our drive 5.4 litres/100km; diesel; tank, 51 litresC02 emissions: 135g/kmDimensions: 4360mm long, 1748mm wide, 1420mm high; 2660mm wheelbaseWheels & tyres: standard, 17in diameter alloy with 205/50 front and 225/45 rear tyres. Test car, 18in alloys, 215/40 front and 245/35 rear tyres.RIVALSAudi TT 2.0 TDI diesel Quattro Coupe from $67,700Peugeot 308 CC S diesel Coupe from $58,490Volkswagen Golf GTD diesel from $39,290.

But the really important question is: what do women want in a car?Finding the answer keeps carmakers tossing and turning at night, because they are well aware that women choose more than half the vehicles sold in Australia. There are all the ones they buy for themselves, as well as the deciding vote on most of the ones bought by households.Sorry, fellas. It’s true. No matter how much you want that souped-up sports car, unless the head of household finances agrees you may as well back away from the vehicle now.One of the earliest attempts to deliver a car for women was the mid-1950s Dodge La Femme. It was actually a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer under the skin, but the Detroit designers camouflaged that skin as thoroughly as a make-up artist doing Vogue covers.The car was decked out in pink paint, with an interior covered in pink vinyl, set off by pink rosebud tapestry. And to show that this was not merely a cynical marketing exercise, Dodge kitted the car with accessories they thought reflected the growing independence of post-World War II women moving into meaningful career paths - a pink handbag complete with office essentials like a matching powder compact, lipstick case and comb.Sales estimates run as low as less than 1000 cars. And the pink panderer was quickly dropped from the Dodge range at the end of the following year.Australia’s own Carla Zampatti tweaked a Ford specifically for women in the 1980s, but whether it won women - with accessories including a hanging hook for handbags - is still open to question.However, Dodge and Ford weren’t completely on the wrong track. Women want a car to be stylish, but also practical. Luckily, these days there are quite a few vehicles that fit the bill – without playing the pink paint card. These are the best style picks for women today, from a woman's perspective, with the figures for the basic car.Don’t agree with these? Let us know what YOU think women want in a car in our poll at left.LIGHTMazda2Price: from $16,030Engine: 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 6.4L/kmEmissions: 152g/kmThe baby 2 has cute and slightly edgy looks, is compact with usable space, and the long doors make it easy to get in the back seat. The auto will be preferred by most, but it adds to the weight of the little car.Close calls: Ford Fiesta from $16,990; Peugeot 207 from $22,490.SMALLBMW 1-SeriesPrice: from $38,900Engine: 160kW/270Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.2L/kmEmissions: 190g/kmA pocket-sized entry in German prestige – without breaking the pocket. Looks stunning, an amazing amount of room, and great to drive.Close calls: Mazda3 from $21,330; Hyundai i30 from $20,390.MEDIUMFord MondeoPrice: from $31,990Engine: 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 9.5L/kmEmissions: 227g/kmThe best thing Ford has brought to Australia in … ever, possibly. Enough space to make you wonder if you’ll ever need a larger car, elegant design and well built.Close calls: Mazda6 from $31,834; Audi A5 Sportback from $78,400.LARGEAudi A6Price: from $74,500Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 5.8L/kmEmissions: 153g/kmThere’s not a high chic quotient in this class - where the homegrown Falcon and Commodore lean more to aggressive styling - so the Audi’s restrained elegance makes it a clear winner.Close calls: Honda Accord from $36,381Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80,900.PEOPLE MOVERHonda OdysseyPrice: from $46,166Engine: 132kW/218Nm 2.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.9L/kmEmissions: 212g/kmIn a class that’s dominated by lumpy boxes, the Odyssey is a sleek stand-out. It's low-slung, car-like and leading with a fashionable face.Close calls: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from $39,990; Chrysler Voyager $60,990.SPORTYBMW Mini Cooper ClubmanPrice: from $36,600Engine: 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.8L/kmEmissions: 163g/kmA bonsai wagon with go-kart street cred and revamped retro lines, this one will get admiring glances from everybody.Close calls: Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690; Audi S3 from $69,100.CONVERTIBLEVolkswagen EosPrice: from $47,990Engine: 103kW/320Nm dieselTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.0L/kmEmissions: 158g/kmThe EOS is streamlined and sophisticated, looks equally good with the roof open or closed – and has enough room in the back to get a couple of extra friends in for short trips.Close calls: BMW Z4 from $86,200; Lexus IS250C from $80,150. SUVHyundai ix35Price: from $26,990Engine: 122kW/197Nm petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.5L/kmEmissions: 201g/kmThere’s heaps of practicality but precious little style in the SUV paddocks. But Hyundai’s new compact ix35 proves you can have both. Ultra-modern lines, trim shape and space to spare.Close calls: Jeep Wrangler (medium) from $31,590; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (large) from $99,900.